Detachable link



No. 606,997. Patented July 5, I898. A. MEHL.

DETACHABLE LINK.

(Application filed May 22, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcs.

ANDREW MEHL, OF GARRISON, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO AUGUSTUS L.

. CLAYTON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

DETACHABLE LINK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,997, dated July 5, 1898.

Application filed May 22, 1897. Serial No- 637,'7Z9- (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW MEHL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Garrison, Baltimore county, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Detachable Links; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description, terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

This invention relates to chains, and more especially to detachable links used therein; and the object'of the same is to produce an improved link of this character.

To this end the invention consists in a link constructed substantially as hereinafter described and claimed and as illustrated in the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan View of one form of my link. Fig. 2 is an edge View of the same. Fig. 1 is a plan View of a slightly-difierent form of my link, and Fig. 2 is an edge View thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,the numeral 1 designates the body of the link, here shown as oval in contour and made of metal substantially round in cross-section. In one of the straight sides of this body is inserted a movable member 2, whereof one end is preferably struck on an oblique line, as seen in Fig. 2, and this end also preferably has extending across it a tongue 3, which takes into a groove extending across the correspondingly-beveled part of the body 1'. .At its opposite end the member 2 is pivoted to the body 1 in any approved or preferred manner, although I have herein shown a tenon 4 on the member 2 entering a corresponding notch in the body 1 and a transverse pivot 5 passing through the parts. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 this pivot is part of a piece of spring-wire, as of steel, and after passing through the parts so as to form the pivot it is carried alongside the member 2 in an arm, as at 6, possibly having a coil or eye 8 between the parts 5 and 6, as shown. Both ends of the wire are turned inward and enter holes in the member 2 and body 1, as at 7, for the purpose of preventing the displacement of the wire. The latter therefore serves the double purpose of a pivot and a spring, and its normal tendency is to throw the tip or beveled end of the movable member 2 into alinement with the side of the body 1, as seen in Fig. 1. V

It is immaterial exactly where the inner end of the wire enters the body 1; but I have shown an arm at by which it can be continued for a short distance from the inner end of the pivotal part along on the inner face of the link before turning outward into the material of the body. This affords strength to resist the undesirable movement of the wire when the movable member is deflected outward, as in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and yet will not interfere with the use of the link under all ordinary circumstances. The uses and advantages of links of this character are so well known that I will not enter into a detailed explanation thereof at this point. In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noticed that the axial line of the pivot stands in a plane through both sides of the link, whereas in Figs. 1 and 2 the pivot stands at right angles to such plane, so that the movable member opens inwardly toward the center of the link instead of laterally thereto. These ideas are interchangeable and either may be employed on eitherlink. The construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 employs, therefore, practically the same member 2, the arm 6', with its bent extremities 7 and its arm 60 between the pivot 5 and the inner extremity, and the same coil 8; but in this construction it will be seen that the pivot is a bolt, screw, or pin independent of the wire which forms the spring and preferably passing through and held in position by the coil 8'. This is an arrangement which employs one additional part, it is true, but in certain cases it may be pref-= erable. In all other respects, essential and otherwise, the link may be the same, even to the tongue and groove 3 and the tenon 4:, as illustrated.

The precise construction, arrangement, proportion, shape, and material of parts are not important, and such changes can be made as do not depart from the spirit of myinvention. For instance, there may be an additional spring 6 on the inner face of the link in Figs. 1 and 2, or one or both of such springs may be employed, or there may be a second spring at the opposite side of the link in Figs. 1 and 2, or one or both of these springs may be employed, as preferred. It is obvious that the precise location of the spring Will not materially alter the general conception of my idea.

That is claimed as new is 1. In a detachable link, the combination with the body having an open side with a notch in one end and a groove in the other end of such opening, and a movable member having a tenon at one end fitting loosely Within the notch and a tongue at the other end fitting loosely in said groove; of a pivot extending through the body and across its notch and also through the tenon therein,

and spring-Wires extending thence in arms alongside the body and member respectively and away from said pivot, and finally having bent extremities turned into such members, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a detachable link, the combination with the body having an open side with a notch in one end of such opening, and a movable member having a tenon at one end fitting loosely Within the notch; of a spring- Wire extending through the body and across its notch and also through the tenon therein, and thence formed into arms extending alongside the body and member respectively and away from said pivot, and finally having bent extremities turned into such members, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a detachable link, the combination with the body having an open side notched at one end of the opening, and a movable member fitting the opening and loosely entering the notch; of a spring-Wire passing through the interlocking parts of body and member to form a pivot, forming a coil at one end of the pivot, and extending thence at both ends alongside the body and member away from the pivot, and attached to these members, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature on this the 12th day of May, A. D. 1897.

ANDREW MEHL. Witnesses:

ROBERT CORBETT, PATRICK CAUGHY. 

